UFC Antitrust Settlement Brings $375 Million Recovery for Fighters

Claggett & Sykes is proud to have Michael Gayan join the firm to lead the class action department and co-lead the mass tort department. Immediately before joining Claggett & Sykes, Michael Gayan served as local counsel in achieving a $375 million antitrust class action settlement on behalf of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters. The case, Le v. Zuffa LLC (UFC), et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada over ten years ago. The settlement agreement provided meaningful recoveries to over 1,100 fighters following extended litigation regarding alleged unlawful contractual and pay restraints in the sport.

Who does the settlement cover?

The class covers fighters who took part in UFC events staged or televised in the United States starting December 16, 2010, and extending through June 30, 2017. Altogether, the class consists of more than 1,100 fighters who may qualify for recovery under the settlement.

The allegations against UFC

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed that Zuffa LLC engaged in unlawful anticompetitive practices, such as:

• Unlawfully achieving and maintaining market dominance
• Locking fighters into unfair and restrictive contracts
• Suppressing fighter compensation compared to what would exist in a competitive marketplace

Plaintiffs further alleged that UFC retained more than 80% of revenue from U.S.-based MMA events, while paying fighters far less than they would earn under competitive conditions.

In 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Richard F. Boulware stated that the plaintiffs had established that Zuffa engaged in willful anticompetitive conduct and maintained or increased its market power through exclusionary practices.

Contract-related concerns the court detailed included:

• Fighters being “trapped” in restrictive agreements
• The UFC holding the ability to release fighters, while fighters could not freely compete elsewhere
• Contract provisions that could become “effectively perpetual”

On February 6, 2025, the Judge approved the $375 million settlement. The planned distribution estimates include:

• The average recovery is $250,000 per fighter
• 35 fighters may recover over $1 million each
• Around 100 fighters may recover over $500,000 each
• More than 200 fighters may recover over $250,000 each
• The majority of eligible fighters could collect between $50,000 and $250,000
• The Plan of Allocation sets the minimum recovery for a fighter at $15,000

Nate Quarry, one of the original plaintiffs, spoke about the outcome of the claim and hopes it will impact the future of the sport.

Other related antitrust class actions remain pending, including two actions involving fighters who competed in the UFC after July 1, 2017. Michael Gayan of Claggett & Sykes serves as local counsel in all three of those class actions (Kajan Johnson v. Zuffa LLC, et al., 2:21-cv-01189-RFB-BNW, Cirkunovs v. Zuffa LLC, et al., 2:25-cv-00914-RFB-BNW, Davis v. Zuffa LLC, et al., 2:25-cv-00946-RFB-BNW).

Claggett & Sykes is committed to complex class action advocacy

Claggett & Sykes recognizes the importance of antitrust and collective-action cases that seek accountability from powerful corporate entities. We’ve recently launched a dedicated class action department, led by Attorney Michael J. Gayan.

Gayan joined Claggett & Sykes as a partner and has extensive experience handling class action cases, including work on In re: Kitec Fitting Litigation, the largest class action ever tried in Nevada. He has recovered more than $400 million for clients, and Claggett & Sykes is excited to have him leading the way as we advocate for and represent class action clients in upcoming cases. Gayan’s contacts with experienced class action attorneys around the country allow Claggett & Sykes to take on the largest corporate defendants.

Results like this UFC settlement demonstrate the role that class actions can play in addressing alleged market abuses. These claims can provide substantial relief to individuals who may not have the power to challenge dominant entities on their own.

Call Claggett & Sykes today to speak to a class action attorney

Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers serves clients throughout Nevada, including offices in Las Vegas and Reno, and around the country. Our firm brings trial-focused advocacy and experienced class-action leadership to major cases across the country. Contact us now to learn more or request a free consultation with one of our lawyers.